Absolutely I'm in, missed out on the ballot this year which gives me guaranteed entry next year, also missed out on the GUCR and Tor des Geants ballots too so someone's trying to tell me something.
There's a couple here who've done multiple, Mark777 being one I think. Just did CCC last year but it was incredible and given the choice I'll be back every year

I'm debating CCC - I know i'm not ready for UTMB yet, that's a longer dream, but I think just to be part of something, to be in CCC would be amazing. However, I also think it may need a lot of thought/planning on my part with regard to life amongst other things!

Good to hear you are getting in LIrish. If you miss out on the ballot in one year do you automatically get in the next year?

I've got 8 points from 3 races. Should have 10 from 3 by December. Not sure if extra points help? Its the height loss that worries me most about UTMB. Ascending I can cope with.

Any ideas on chances of getting in?

There was another thread here about telling partners / friends about entering ultra races. I think I will enter first and tell later if I get in as no point in using up any goodwill if my entry gets knocked back!

Hh extra points mean nothing, as long as you have the required ones you'll have the same chance as everyone else.at the moment if you're refused in the ballot you get guaranteed entry the following year, as long as you still have the required points.
The ascent and descent swerve like nothing I'd every experienced before. As is my way I didn't really study the course profile before I went but suffice to say it was brutal, even for the shorter course of the CCC. Think hands on knees ascents for over an hour.
As is said in my earlier post the UTMB is something I'll come back to again and again, that whole week in chamonix was incredible, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone

I'm considering it too... although maybe CCC or TDS would be the better start ? I'm on my way to 6 points but need to book another event to have a shot at UTMB, even if that does make sense for a novice... 4 points will hopefully come from Ring o'Fire in Wales, which has about 5 places left and likely to sell out this week as only 100 allowed for first year.

I also have eyes on 2014 for the UTMB, and 2013 for CCC. Have got the IOW ultra and NDW 50 planned for this year (2 points a piece) and if I get lucky in the CCC balot then provided I complete all that gives me enough. Am looking at others too just incase of injury or god forbid a DNF in one or more of the above.

Fellsman looks good for next year, quite fancy the look of the Hardmoors races too.

Chance of getting in is about 50%, but that will certainly decrease in future years due to new regs. Chance of finishing is less than 50% - doesn't matter whether you're fast or slow. For example, Scott Jurek has only finished once in five attempts (in 17th), and multiple MdS winner Mo Ahansal finished his only attempt in 125th place!

Despite being currently injured and having to miss this year's GUCR, I have a place in UTMB for the sixth year running. I've had 3 finishes and 2 abandons previously, and have been round the course in training another 4 or 5 times. Happy to help with any advice. Just DM me or ask on here.

I did a race report on how it beat me up last year on another thread, so I'll dig it out in case anyone finds it useful/interesting. Just to put it in context, I'm no elite, but I'm no beginner either. I've run 40 ultras in the past 10 years, including a few podiums a couple of wins and course records and I've a marathon PB of 2.45. Four weeks before last years race I went round the course on my own unsupported in three stages and took 28 hours. But the cumulative effect on the race was much harder than I anticipated, despite having done it before & knowing every inch of the racecourse...

For those that are interested here's my race report from a few years ago http://andydubois.blogspot.com.au/search/label/Ultra%20Trail%20Mont%20Blanc

For all those wondering whether you are capable or not and what would be a stepping stone to the UTMB, I don't think you necessarily need a stepping stone provided you train correctly. It was my second ultra ( there were no qualifying points needed back in 2007) and I had a great day out. No days to qualify you must have finished more than one ultra on trails , so if you have qualified then go for it.
Just be aware that it really doesn't compare to a race like the SDW 100 miles or GU135. Lakeland 100, and Hardmoors 110 would be the closest in comparison

The key factor is doing the ascent descent in training. There are no flat sections of the course so training on the flat is a waste of time. As much as possible of your training needs to be on hills .Have read of this article on hill training http://www.mile27.com.au/downhill-running/

Andrew I used a Helly Hamsen long sleeve last year and it was fine, for the waterproof I had a montane top which again was fine. One word of caution though, whatever kit you do use make sure it's the best you can afford, last year we had blazing sunshine, torrential rain snow and sleet all on the same course, your kit is really tested and you don't want to be found wanting 8000 feet up in the alps

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